Community led governance
Submissions to the representation review close next Monday the 4th of October. There is still time to have your say. It's not hard to do. Google the council's website and use the online form. The form is simple to use and you don't have to say much; a couple of sentences with your thoughts will do. You don't have to speak at the hearing. Just tick the No box. Your input won't be any the less valuable.
The council proposes to introduce a system of 9 councillors from 9 wards. That might look good on the surface, but it's not. It's far worse than the previous system. People will only be able to vote for and communicate with 1 councillor, their ward councillor, no-one else.A one-ninth share in local governance. If you don't get on with your ward councillor, well, too bad. You cannot go to anyone else. Residents will be shut up and shut out! If you don't want this tell the council on the online form.
There is a better method available, but you have to ask for it. What was called Option 2 in the feedback survey would provide 1 ward with `10 councillors and general roll electors would be able to vote for and communicate with 9 of them. Much better! This system was the run away public favourite in the feedback survey but the council ignored the people's choice and substituted another system, its own, that wasn't even offered up in the survey.
Also, in one line the council dismissed the right for residents to have community boards - OUR community boards. A place where we could have OUR say about local matters. Boards have statutory powers and the capacity to promote local well-being in a way that no other community organisation has the power to do.There are over 100 community boards in NZ but Tauranga councils have persistently refused to allow them to be established here.
Do this: complete the council's online form and insist upon Option 2 being used and demand that community boards be established. Opposition to autocratic council control starts with your submission.
Got a Minute? Prove You’re the Smartest Neighbour!
What is it that when given one, you’ll have either two or none?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84% Yes
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14.7% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
Do you know what a Conditional Agreement means?
Do you know what a Conditional Agreement means?
A conditional agreement is an agreement for the Sale & Purchase of real estate and is a legally binding agreement, but it is subject to certain conditions being satisfied.
These might relate to:
1️⃣ the purchaser arranging suitable finance to complete the purchase,
2️⃣ receipt of a satisfactory builder’s report and/or valuer’s report;
3️⃣ receipt of a satisfactory Land Information Memorandum (LIM);
4️⃣ or the purchaser’s solicitor approving the title to the property.
The Sale & Purchase agreement may also have conditions that require the seller to do something by a certain date.
Once all the conditions are satisfied the agreement becomes unconditional.
Whether you're the savvy buyer or the strategic seller, remember the golden rule: legal advice is your guiding light. 🌟 Legal advice ensures the conditions are crystal clear, paving the way for your seamless real estate journey!
So, next time you're navigating your real estate journey of property transactions, remember: knowledge is power, and legal advice is your compass!💡
Contact me for more real estate advice. My advice is given freely and without obligation. ✨